Couple arrested on sex charges

January 8, 2013

An Upshur County couple remains lodged in the Tygart Valley Regional Jail after being arrested over the weekend on sexual charges.

Timothy Allen Sargent, 41, of Route 1, Box 180B, French Creek, is being held in lieu of a $100,000 cash-only bond on a felony charge of second-degree sexual assault. His wife, Rachel Nicole Sargent, 24, whose address is listed as 89 Sago Road, Buckhannon, is being held in lieu of a $75,000 cash-only bond on a felony charge of using a minor in filming sexually explicit conduct.

The two were arrested Saturday night by the Buckhannon Police Department.

Article Photos

R. Sargent

T. Sargent

According to the criminal complaint in Upshur County Magistrate Court, the Sargents are alleged to have taken a 16-year-old female to the Colonial Motel on North Locust Street in Buckhannon on Jan. 1. The juvenile was alleged to have been provided alcohol by the Sargents, and Timothy Sargent is alleged to have had sexual intercourse with the juvenile, whom police said had passed out and was unable to give consent. The complaint also alleged that while Timothy Sargent was engaged in the act, his wife Rachel Sargent took photos while the alleged assault was in progress.

If convicted, Timothy Sargent faces a prison sentence of 10-25 years and fines up to $10,000. Rachel Sargent could face up to 10 years in prison and fines up to $10,000.

As part of their bond conditions, the Sargents were ordered to have no contact with the victim nor the victim's family.